Horse Thoughts

Days come and days go. I smile when I do riding lessons though, generally after school and on weekends. They are really fun. During camp, I teach some lessons but am more involved behind the scenes in making sure things move forward.

What I love about lessons first and foremost is my contact with riders. Our weekly rides give me an opportunity to hear about school stresses and homework loads. They also are a wonderful way to watch individuals grow and you know I'm big on how you all 'blossom and grow'.

I get such a kick out of watching my riders master a new skill. I am even more excited when they work with a project horse.

Week after week they struggle to help with attitude and skill adjustments in the horse. Their persistence and genuine loving care makes such a difference to whether or not that horse has a purpose to their off season life. Then when the rider feels a positive difference in their rides, they know success is theirs. The smiles after those lessons are the best. I love it!

Erin is becoming a rider who can partner up with almost any horse in the barn and do well. She is a quiet rider who soothes the horse and politely says, "No. This is how you do it." I am amazed at how well the horses accept her. Lately Erin has worked with Mikey, Marea and Ellie. She even hopped on Honey yesterday. I think Honey had the ride of her life.

Courtney loves Bugler. She makes him feel like a king and I think he makes her shine like the queen she is. Recently Courtney has ridden Fella and Honey to work on balance and using her seat and legs more. Soon she will return to Bugler and I believe she will be surprised by how her riding has improved.

This last weekend Kristen and her mom came for a trail ride. Kristen rode Sunrise and her mom rode Patti. I have to tell you I was flabergasted with Patti's energy. She literally did not want to stay behind me on the trail ride. It was go, go, go for her. We actually had to slow her down. Anyway, here is a picture for Kristen's mom. Is this one for your bulletin board, Sue?

I have quite a number of riders come for lessons who are beginners. Many of them are working with the masters and doing well.

What I mean by working with the masters is that these riders are learning on Fella, Honey and Ozzy, horses that partner with me in teaching new riders how to be confident and skilled on their horse. I thoroughly enjoy their enthusiasm. I've in fact taught many a beginner rider their basic skills so they can move on to compete and do well.

At this point, I want to add a footnote for a horse named Glory. She was one of our masters who taught many of you out there how to manage a canter. She worked long and hard here at camp. We retired her to a wonderful family with a daughter named Zoe who connected heart to heart with Glory these past years. Well, I received word this week that Zoe had to say goodbye to Glory, and I know that was hard. We truly feel your sadness Zoe. Thank you for loving Glory the way we loved her. Glory was a special friend to us all.